Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Feb 10: Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena’s Facebook (FB) page which a year back had failed to evoke expected response has now turned into a powerful tool in disseminating information on Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) routine activities.
Notably, a year back when Jena won the BMC polls, he had promised to unveil his FB page but it soon fizzled out because of lack of manpower to handle the social networking page.
Now almost after a year, people—particularly information technology (IT) professionals and media persons are getting regular updates from Mayor’s FB page.
The page has over 3,640 people in its friend list while the number is growing and being used to disseminate information to people.
The Mayor has asked BMC’s project management unit (PMU) staff to regularly update his page— especially his meetings with delegates convening meeting on upgradation and development of civic projects.
“The page is aimed at spreading information on BMC’s activities to residents, government officials and media persons. It is being updated regularly,” Jena remarked. In fact, Jena’s FB page response seems to have beaten up BMC public relations cell in terms of disseminating key information to the media.
Interestingly, BMC’s Facebook page on Swacha Bhubaneswar Abhiyan which was unveiled by municipal commissioner October 2, 2014 has failed to meet people’s expectations as it has got only 297 likes— far below expectation. The page was replicated on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swacha Bharat Abhiyan to sensitise people on clean environment.
Swacha Bhubaneswar Abhiyan’s page was last updated December 6, 2014—enough to show BMC’s sincerity in encouraging people on cleanliness.
Bank employee Rajeev Sethi who resides in Sahid Nagar said the Mayor has been using social media but more information should be disseminated through the platform. On the contrary, Preeti Mohasupkar, a Bomikhal resident, was apparently not content with Mayor using FB, saying Jena should first ensure the Sanjog online helpline number worked properly so that residents lodge their grievances.
“People’s plaints should be addressed first, this is what a common man is expecting from the Mayor,” she lamented.
